青葉(あおば)

あおば
noun
fresh green leaves; verdure
nature
1. fresh green leaves; new foliage; verdure
The lush green leaves of trees and plants, especially the fresh new leaves that appear in late spring and early summer. A seasonal word associated with the beauty of nature in May and June.
青葉(あおば)が美(うつく)しい。
The green leaves are beautiful.
木々(きぎ)の青葉(あおば)が風(かぜ)に揺(ゆ)れている。
The green leaves on the trees are swaying in the wind.
五月(ごがつ)になると山(やま)は青葉(あおば)に覆(おお)われて、目(め)に鮮(あざ)やかだ。
In May, the mountains are covered with fresh green leaves, vivid to the eye.

Refers specifically to the fresh, vibrant green foliage of late spring and early summer. Composed of 青(あお) (green/blue) + 葉(ば) (leaf/leaves). A poetic and seasonal word strongly associated with May and June.

Common collocations

  • 青葉(あおば)の季節(きせつ): the season of fresh green leaves
  • 青葉(あおば)が茂(しげ)る: green leaves grow thick
  • 青葉(あおば)の頃(ころ): around the time of fresh green foliage
  • 目(め)に青葉(あおば): green leaves pleasing to the eye (from a famous haiku)

Cultural note

In haiku, 青葉(あおば) is a 季語(きご) (seasonal word) for early summer. The famous phrase 目(め)に青葉(あおば) 山(やま)ほととぎす 初鰹(はつがつお) by 山口素堂(やまぐちそどう) celebrates three seasonal pleasures: green leaves for the eyes, the cuckoo for the ears, and the first bonito for the palate.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 新緑(しんりょく) (fresh greenery)
Related: 若葉(わかば) (young leaves)
Related: 紅葉(こうよう) (autumn foliage)
Related: 葉(は)っぱ (leaf)
general
Added 2026.3.28 21:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
20000/20092_aoba